"Mariah Carey is one of the top pop singers in America today. On an average, her CD's sell for fifteen dollars. However, many find it easier to purchase a "knock-off" for a cheaper price than to purchase the real thing. For instance, an individual can purchase the exact CD at a local flea market for five dollars and save the extra ten dollars for something else. In the short story, "The Great Taco War," Jose Antonio Burciaga informs readers that fast food industries like Taco Bell do no sell authentic Mexican tacos. He urges readers to purchase tacos from taquerias because unlike Taco Bell, their food is "real" Mexican food.

In the beginning, Burciaga provides a brief history when Taco Bell was established. First starting in Mexico City and then spreading throughout the United States, the chain sold "mild imitations of the real thing" (382). Many Mexican businesses and people protested against Taco Bell because unlike homemade tortillas made from hand, they used "prefabricated hard tortilla shells" (383) that tasted nothing like real Mexican tacos…"From herelink

It's a short story. Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell in California. He didn't want to sell hot dogs anymore so he tried his hand at tacos. Was nothing more than vaguely Mexican seasoned and sounding. I'm with Bill on this one. I like real taquerias too (tons in L.A.), but when I want Taco Bell, I want Taco Bell. Two different things.

Tacos at taco Bell are not the taco's that I've eaten in friends homes. and small village restaurants. But they are good. like their burritoes. Nothing like the real thing but when you want one, they're good.

There's a Mexican restaurant chain in the area, and I don't know how they stay in business, the food is so bad. Must do money laundering on the side, or something.

Taco Bell is 3X better than that place, and even canned beans and other items are better than the chain of "restaurants" here.

My issue with TB is the total lack of meat in their tacos.

Now, I usually just buy their spice mix for the taco meat, and make my own, with lots of meat in them. Much better that way.

Occasionally, when I have the time, I make real tacos with shredded beef, and fresh-fried tacos at home, which I agree, are far better than those pre-cooked, oven baked taco shells.

I've also had "real Mexican" food in Tijuana, while on vacation there with my parents. Earlier in the day we watched the bullfights. Later that night, we ate the loser, and the stringy meat was very tough, and slathered with a cream sauce. It was horrible.

So, just because it is "authentic" doesn't necessarily mean it is good.

My wife calls it "Taco Dog," and not just because of that annoying stereotype chihuahua mascot.

If you have lived in South or Central Texas, you have experienced authentic tacos (like you'd get from a mom-and-pop taqueria) and it's hard to accept the cardboard, processed stuff that comes from Taco Bell or Taco Cabana as worthy of being eaten, let alone called "Mexican food."

Let the taco wars commence! It's a change of pace from the "real" chili wars or BBQ wars. ;-)